Page 36 of Finding Home
When all is said and done, there’s a peace I’ve found here in Bluestone Lakes. A sense of belonging even if it’s only been a short time. A feeling that tells me this is where I’m meant to be and to learn who I was all along.
When I finally got a handle on the power washer, I flew through the rest of the house. I’m thankful I didn’t strip any of the blue from the siding. I say that because I accidentally stripped the stain from the deck.Whoops.
The deck project is not something I am ready to tackle anytime soon, so I’m just embracing the natural wood while I figure out a plan.
Someday I hope to extend it, creating enough space for an outdoor seating area. I picture one of those comfortable outdoor sofas, and next to it, on each side, a glider. I picture making more friends here and someday hosting them at my home, enjoying drinks and good company onmyporch.
Those thoughts helped ease the tears I shed as I looked to the bright side of the future.
There was plenty of time for me to sit around and envision my porch the following days because my body was sore from head to toe. It’s a shame because I really wanted to go for a run the other day.
It worked out though, because the next day my clothes finally came from my sister, and everything fit me perfectly. They don’tscreamcountry, and some of them are way too risqué for my liking. But the outfits work for someone who works in a bakery. Which is all I asked for.
Kodi knows me well enough to know I need to get out and run too. Her throwing in a pair of biker shorts was like winning the lottery when I opened the box.
Today’s the day I finally set out in town on a run. I’mdefinitely nervous, but I’ve missed this part of me. Even if I’m working on a new and improved Blair, this part of me can never leave. It’s my peace. It’s my calm. It’s my time to shut the world out around me.
My only hesitation is that I don't know the town completely, and I’m intimidated by all the mountains surrounding me. Which also makes me afraid that the altitude will take me out before the incline of the hills do.
But I’m doing it anyway.
Early evenings have become my favorite part of the day here, so why not incorporate my two favorites at the same time?
Once my feet hit the dirt road, I do my normal stretching routine before I take off. My phone blasts some playlist I made last week when I was mentally preparing to get back to running.
It’s not as bad as I thought.
I keep an easy pace, and once I leave Barlow Drive, I decide to explore a little deeper. Focusing on where I just came from so I can get myself back home. I find myself in a new area of town I’ve never seen. There are very few houses and definitely no businesses. I run past a ton of construction sites, which must mean the town is still growing.
My guess is that I ran around the heart of town.
Continuing down the road, I find myself coming to a stop when I realize it’s a dead end. I take a moment to lean forward with my hands on my thighs to catch my breath before surveying my surroundings.
“Where the hell am I?”
I don’t think I ended up on anyrealroad this entire run. I got a little caught up in the music for a while to pay attention.
Am I lost?
Great. Just what I need.
I dial Lily’s number.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Lily.”
“Why does it sound like you’re in the middle of running a marathon?” She laughs.
“Not a marathon,” I choke out. “But definitely running. Barely.”
“What? Where the heck are you? Who’s chasing you?”
“No one is chasing me that I know of. But you know…you ask a fantastic question,” I get out through my ragged breaths. “There are no signs or houses anywhere. But if I have to guess, I’m on the opposite side of town. Actually, I may not even be in Bluestone Lakes anymore. Maybe I’m in another state.”
She laughs. “How far did you run?”
“I don’t know. I kind of got lost in my playlist. And I don’t track my distance with those fancy apps or anything. Made a few lefts, and a few rights, and now I’m on a dead-end road.”
